Through our Hall of Fame in ESL Teacher Education, we congratulate the many UAB students and alumni who have earned awards, honors, and distinctions. However, in order to make sure that our ESL Hall of Fame includes all award winners, we need everyone's help. We look forward to hearing from you about any other award-winning UAB students and alumni so that their names can also be added to our Hall of Fame.
Dr. Susan Spezzini, Program Director and Professor of English Learner Education


Hannah Rodgers, UAB alumna and ESL Teacher at Pelham Middle School in Pelham, Alabama, participated in the National Education Association Foundation's Global Learning Fellowship program in 2018. The fellowship included a full year of professional development focused on global education, a workshop in Washington, DC, and a 9-day international field study in South Africa. Hannah is pictured here visiting Table Mountain in Capetown, South Africa.





Sarah Hicks, UAB alumna and ESL Teacher at Thompson Middle School in Alabaster, Alabama, was one of 35 educators from the United States and Canada to be selected for the 10th annual class of National Geographic Grosvenor Teacher Fellows in 2016. The Grosvenor Teacher Fellow Program gives K-12 classroom teachers the opportunity to foster excellence in geographic education. Exemplary educators like Sarah Hicks are recognized for their commitment to geographic education and given the opportunity to travel aboard the Lindblad-National Geographic fleet, giving educators the chance to enhance their geographic knowledge with hands-on field experience and bring that knowledge back to their classrooms and local communities.

UAB School of Education Awards - ESL Graduate Program Outstanding Students and Alumni

2022

Outstanding Educational Specialist - TESOL
Sally Anne Perz
UAB English Department

Outstanding Master's
Samantha Baker
PreSchool Tallassee

Outstanding Alternative Master's
Alder Feroce
Birmingham City Schools

Outstanding Master's Non-Certification
John Chen
UAB Community English Program

Outstanding Alumna
(Janet) Lynn Fuller
Madison County Schools, MS

Outstanding Service
Lisa M. Preston
Webmaster, UAB's ESL grants & AMTESOL

2021

Outstanding Educational Specialist
Karen Hammonds
Attalla City Schools

Outstanding Master's
Eunice Virginia (Jenny) Stone
Madison County Schools

Outstanding Alternative Master's
Marisol Torres
Gadsden City Schools

Outstanding Master's Non-Certification
Meghan Walker
Graduate School UAB

Outstanding Alumnae
Amanda Rodgriguez & Brandi Smith
Alabaster City Schools

Outstanding Service
Dr. Elisabeth Davis
Assistant State Superintendent of Student Learning, ALSDE

2020

Honors Student
Courtney Glenon
Hanceville

Outstanding Educational Specialist
Emily Day
Gadsden City Schools

Outstanding Master's
Anna Suthoff
Opelika City Schools

Outstanding Alternative Master's
Christy Iwuaba
Birmingham City Schools

Outstanding Master's Non-Certification
Lantong Huang
China

Outstanding Alumna
Julie Caine
Shelby County Schools

Outstanding Service
Heath Grimes
Superintendent, Russellville City Schools

UAB Honors Convocation Awardees - ESL Teacher Education Program

2022  Sydney Sneed, Mountain Brook Schools
2021  Amy Murphree, Jefferson County Schools

EL Specialists for Alabama State Department of Education

2020

Cheryl Michelle Lee, Education/EL Specialist
Mayte Cotton, Montgomery Public Schools
Rebecca Padin, Birmingham City Schools
Susan Penton, Geneva County Schools
Robin Stutts, Madison City Schools

2019

Cheryl Michelle Lee, Education/EL Specialist
Mayte Cotton, Montgomery Public Schools
Susan Penton, Geneva County Schools
Robin Stutts, Madison City Schools
Krista Whatley, Bessemer City Schools

Other Awards and Honors

US Department of State Fulbright Teachers for Global Classrooms Travel Grant

Abby Becker (2018)
ESL Teacher, Hall-Kent Elementary
Homewood City Schools

National Education Association Global Learning Fellowship

M. Hannah Rodgers (2018)
ESL Teacher, Pelham Park Middle School
Pelham City Schools

National Geographic Grosvenor Teacher Fellow

Sarah Hicks (2016)
ESL Teacher, Thompson Middle School
Shelby County Schools

Motivating Woman's Award, Birmingham International Center

Georgia Miller (2014)
ESL Teacher, Homewood Middle School
Homewood City Schools

Nominee for Alabama Teacher Hall of Fame (awarded by Jacksonville State University)

Danelle Cash (2014)
French Teacher, Hoover High School
Hoover City Schools

Sevim Whitaker (2008)
ESL Teacher, Rocky Ridge Elementary School
Hoover City Schools

US Department of State English Language Fellow

Carey Chappell (2010)
ESL Teacher
Shelton State Community College

Outstanding New Teacher of the Year

Darcie Miller (2011)
ESL Teacher, Austin High School
Decatur City Schools

Darcie Bouvier (2010)
ESL Teacher, Austin High School
Decatur City Schools

Support Staff of the Year

Frankie Perez (2010)
ESL Bilingual Aide, Thompson High School
Shelby County Schools

Rotary Club Teacher of the Year

Anne Betbeze (2009)
ESL Teacher, EPIC Elementary School
Birmingham City Schools

Tyler Bryant (2009)
ESL Teacher, Glen Iris Elementary School
Birmingham City Schools

Jenny Harvey (2002)
ESL Teacher, Homewood High School
Homewood City Schools

Center for Urban Education, Advanced Studies Scholarship

Cindy Ponder (2010)
ESL Teacher, Kermit Johnson Elementary
Jefferson County Schools